Clasp



(No Model.)

G. E. ADAMS. GLASP.

No. 496,629. Patented May 2, 1 893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. ADAMS,'OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,629, dated May 2, 1893.

Application filed January 7, 1893- Serial No. 45 7,622. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. ADAMS, of New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps for Garment-Supporters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts all as will be now described and pointed out particularly in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a garter having my present invention thereon. Fig. 2 is a detail side elevation of the clasp. Fig. 3 is a section showing the pivotal member in end elevation. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the spring arms on the pivotal member curved to the center for mutual support. Figs. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sections showing modifications.

Like letters of reference in the several figures denote the same parts.

A indicates the elastic webbing which is passed around the wearers limb, B, the depending loop connected therewith, and D D, the slide hook with which the loop C, c, on the end of the web engages to fasten the free end of the web.

The clasp for the attachment of the garment is secured to the cord loop by having its upper end serrated at e andbent around the lapped ends of the cord, in a line transverse to the length of the clasp, whereby strain on the loop -has little tendency to draw the ends of the cord out.

The clasp itself consists substantially of a plate or body portion E having the forward end properly formed to engage the fabric of the garment, as by having the wide tooth or jaw F bent up to co-operate with a similar tooth or jaw g of the pivotal member G in holding the fabric. This pivotal member G is provided with ears G on each side which fit over and journal on transverse pivots or trunnions E formed on the edges of the body E of the clasp. The pivoted member G is further provided with a rearward extension or, more properly speaking, the pivots are located centrally of its length, Without however crossing the members as has been heretofore proposed by slotting one for the reception of the other, and at the rear end the pivoted member is provided with a tongue, arm or projection for co-operation with a portion of the body E and thereby form a snap catch to hold or look the jaws closed or open. In the preferred construction one or more apertures are formed through the body as at H, and the pivoted member isprovided with one or more longitudinally arranged tongues I curved somewhat on the outside and adapted to bear against the edges of the aperture, the friction being sufficient to hold the parts in adjusted position, and by reason of the slight curvature of the tongues forming in efiect a snap catch as the center of the curved portion offers considerable resistance to the movement of the pivoted member.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the pivoted member is provided with two tongues I, one on each side of the same and the body is provided with corresponding apertures, the outer edges of which may if desired, be rounded and somewhat elastic, thus distributing the clasticity between the tongues and walls of the aperture. Obviously, two apertures are not necessary and the ends of the tongues may be curved up toward the center until they meet as at i, Fig. 4, to afford mutual support, thereby giving a more powerful spring to each of I the arms and making the lock more secure. So too, the tongues may be arranged transverselyas in Figs. 5 and 6 wherein it willbe seen that the tongue lettered l in this instance is simply formed by bending the rear end of the pivotal member down and giving it and the rear edge of the opening a proper shape to form a snap or friction catch. 'This construc .tion affords an opportunity for making the wall of the aperture quite elastic as there is no danger of weakening the clasp laterally by cutting the sides of the aperture back.

Fig. 6 diifers from Fig. 5 in that the end of the tongue I is bent up against the under side of the pivotal member to afford additional strength. The clasp is such that it may be opened and will stay open until the garment is inserted and then closed with a positive lock, which while powerful enough to hold the fabric, will in the preferred construction yield before the strain becomes sufficiently great to tear the same.

An advantage in locating the pivotal mem ber entirely on one side which does not appear at first glance, lies in the facility with which the same may be manipulated with the thumb while holding the device in one hand, for by placing the thumb 011 .the said member the latter may be rocked into locked or unlocked position with the greatest case. So too, the tongues passing through the body portion, from guards to prevent any of the garments from working beneath the rear end of the pivotal member both when the jaws are open and shut.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is i 1. In a clasp for garment supporters, the combination with the body having the gripping jaw at one end with means for attachment to its support at the opposite end, and an intermediate aperture, of the centrally pivoted member located entirely on one side of the body, with the cooperating gripping aw at one end and the projecting curved arm at the opposite end adapted to pass through and bearing frictionally against the wall of said aperture to form a snapcatch for holdaeaeae ing the gripping jaws closed; substantially as described.

2. In a clasp for garment supporters, the combination with the body portion having the jaw at one end, the centrally located laterally projecting pivots and the aperture at the rear end having its wall bent up to form a rounded surface, of the cooperating member lying entirely on one side of the body portion and having the jaw at one end, the centrally located downwardly projecting ears embracing the pivots on the body and the downwardly bent curved arm at the rear end cooperating 5 with the rounded wall of the aperture in the body portion to form a snap catch; substantially as described.

3. In a clasp for garment supporters, the combination with the body having the grip- 5o ping jaw at one end with means for attachment to its support at the opposite end and an intermediate aperture, of the centrally pivoted member having the cooperating gripping jaw at one end and the arms bent down on opposite sides of the other end and adapted to engage opposite side walls of the aperture in the body, thereby forming a snap catch for holding the jaws closed; substantially as described.

GEORGE E. ADAMS.

Witnesses:

E. N. STANLEY, A. S. PARSONS. 

